In Uganda, agriculture is the source of livelihood for 90% of the country’s population, 95% of which are resource-poor small-scale farmers. Declines in soil fertility, low availability of land, scarcity of fuel wood, and new unpredictable rainfall patterns have reduced food production and the ability of households to generate food and income.

Most national research efforts carried out at research stations with no farmer participation have not solved these problems. The lack of resources within the Department of Agriculture Extension Service (for example, there is one extension worker for every 4,000 farm families) has made it impossible for relevant research findings to make it to farming communities. The high price of agricultural inputs has further impeded the spread of Green Revolution technology among farmers.

The above situations have been compounded by the many years of social turmoil which lasted until 1985, which further increased poverty and established a land tenure system which does not provide secure ownership to many farmers, thus resulting in increased pressure on the land. In the last five years, changes in rainfall patterns with unexpected periods of drought are further stretching the limits of traditional farming, with increasing loss of topsoil and soil nutrients.

Given these trends, most farmers continue practicing traditional methods of farming, which provide risk aversion but exhibit low productivity. Recently, various NGOs have assisted farmers with organic and low-input technologies in order to enhance the productive potential of small farmers. Such efforts became an important foundation for the development of new agricultural technologies for poor farmers. Three NGOs promoting such initiatives became partners in the SANE process.

As a result of the SANE Africa regional consultation held in Mbour, Senegal in May 1994, Environmental Alert, a Ugandan NGO, was selected to coordinate the SANE Program in Uganda. Environmental Alert convened a two-day national consultation in December 1994 to enable key players in agricultural development to identify the specific projects and priority activities to implement in Uganda through the SANE approach.

The consultation was attended by 17 organizations from different agroecological zones and with different experience in sustainable agriculture. After much sharing and discussion, the following priority areas were identified:

• Strengthening existing sustainable agriculture networking activities
• Policy advocacy
• Capacity building and training
• Participatory technology development.

A coordinated effort in these activities was expected to provide existing undertakings in sustainable agriculture the necessary support to realize their full potential. This effort would be focused on a few sites that would become agroecological lighthouses. As they reach maturity, the lighthouses would serve as case studies, providing lessons useful in the development of sustainable agriculture in other sites.

A national SANE advisory committee was elected and given the mandate of selecting organizations to implement the lighthouse projects. The committee selected three organizations from three different areas in the country, the Talent Calls Clubs (TCC), Joint Effort to Save the Environment (JESE), and Community Action for Rural Development (CARD).

Most members of these NGOs received their agricultural training at the Kenya Organic Farming Institute or its affiliate, Manor House, both in Kenya. Thus, the initial types of techniques proposed to farmers in all three sites were mostly organic in nature. However, since all three NGOs solicited farmer input in the development of new methods, these gradually evolved as local farmers modified them.

Moreover, all three NGOs share SANE’s belief that traditional methods are valuable building blocks upon which a sustainable agroecosystem can be developed. For example, the three NGOs collected as much traditional knowledge as they could on trees and hedges used to prevent erosion, fix nitrogen, and produce firewood. Then, technicians simply added to this list of traditional plant species additional useful plants they have come to know through other sources. From this expanded list, farmers select the species they want to plant. NGO technicians also conducted some studies to validate traditional agriculture. For example, local maize and millet varieties, which farmers claim are more resistant to disease, mature earlier, and taste better, were compared through on-farm trials to improved hybrid varieties. Results from such trials provided important information on what varieties are better suited.¹

The SANE program is carried out in conjunction with JESE’s Africa 2000 activities, involving twenty farmers from two neighboring parishes. There is a SANE village committee with a chair. All of the participating farmers have drawn elaborate maps of their farms illustrating where crops and trees will be planted, livestock kept, other income generating activities located, and so on. They have prepared equally elaborate workplans and budgets for the development of two completely ecological "model" villages, which will feature animal integration, agroforestry, home gardens, composting, recycling, mulching, intercropping, and so on.

Kabarole district is a mountainous area with gentle slopes in the lowlands, and steep slopes in the highlands. Increasing demand for land has been pushing farmers further onto steep slope areas, which are cleared of trees for agriculture. The slopes have rapidly eroded which, together with earthquakes, causes frequent landslides. The major crops are banana, millet, sweet potato and passion fruit in the lowlands, and vegetables, potatoes and wheat in the highlands. A significant portion of the area is devoted for tea production for sale. The operation of tea processing plants requires large amounts (several tons per factory per day) of fuelwood, thus contributing significantly to deforestation and a shortage of fuelwood. The local Rwenzori forest used to provide supplemental foods such as honey, herbs, and meat from game animals until it became a protected National Park. The lack of access by people to the forest, along with decreasing yields in agricultural production, is causing reduction in local food availability. At present, there are shortages in basic foods, which must be imported from 400 km away.

A circle of degradation is taking place. As cultivated fields lose their soil fertility, farmers clear new land on ever-steeper slopes and trees are cut down for fuelwood. Soil erosion is thus triggered and renders the recently cleared land unproductive. Forested areas do not recover, and the cycle persists. One way to break this cycle is to sustain agricultural production with methods that stop erosion, restore soil fertility, improve crop protection, and provide renewable fuelwood sources.

TCC is located in Goma Sub-county on the outskirts of Kampala, a humid rainforest area. All nine of TCC’s volunteer staff work in five parishes and thirty-six villages. The SANE lighthouse project is taking place among six groups of farmers in three villages Lumuli, Mwangola and Kasaayi. In this area, deforestation for timber and fuelwood cause rampant erosion and decreased local rainfall. The water table has been falling and wells and springs dry up seasonally. The need for fuelwood is so great that even fruit trees are cut. Women and children spend excessive time collecting fuelwood and water, which takes away from time that could be spent in more productive activities. Agricultural production is low and does not generate any surplus. Signs of malnutrition are seen, particularly in children.

CARD is active in Lugolole parish, a savanna area in Eastern Uganda. It was created in 1989 as a grassroots organization composed exclusively by farmer members. Its goal is to empower the rural communities using local human and natural resources to generate development that is equitable and environmentally sustainable. The problems faced in their communities are similar to those of JESE and TCC: deforestation, soil erosion, low food production, and malnutrition.

Old banana orchards, having lost their productivity, were being abandoned and new ones were being established at the expense of forested areas. Both TCC's and JESE’s approach has been the rehabilitation of old orchards. The trees were thinned and underground stems removed to reduce competition for water and space. The soil was improved using compost and legume cover crops which provided green manure. The main pest, the banana weevil, was controlled using traps and through the general maintenance of good plant health. Other pests and disease were kept in check with cultural practices.

All NGOs promoted the production of passion fruit. Passion fruit is both a cash crop and, in the form of juice, a beneficial supplement to people’s diets. Since it is a climbing vine, trees such as Sesbania, which can also provide wood, fodder, nitrogen, and suppress weeds, were used as support. Traditional varieties of passion fruit, which according to local farmers are more resistant to pests and disease and are sweeter than hybrid varieties were encouraged. In addition, agro-forestry has become a key activity. For example, TCC agroforestry emphasis in on fast-growing species and varieties suited for timber and fuelwood because the extensive construction of new buildings and repair of war-damaged structures created a demand for fire-burned brick and timber which have become important income-generating activities, but at the same time threaten neighboring forest.

In all three areas, there has been significant progress in soil and water conservation. For example, prior to intervention, year-round vegetable production was not possible due to low water availability during the dry season. Basket and trench compost was applied to the double-cultivated vegetable beds. In addition to increasing the soil nutrient content, the added organic matter enhanced the soil’s water holding capacity and made it possible to grow vegetables continuously throughout the year. Training in anti-erosion techniques has had a significant impact. At present, 42 farmers are practicing mulching, terracing, alley cropping, and established contour level using an A-frame made from local materials. Water micro-catchments, wind breaks, grass barriers, and diversion channels have also been encouraged. The constructions, which require significant labor, were carried out collectively using a rotation scheme ensuring everyone benefits from the collective effort.

JESE has a group of technicians devoted to docu-menting and conducting research on indigenous knowledge. It was found that traditional recipes for making botanical insecticides existed but were not widely known. These are made with hot peppers, marigold, tobacco, and garlic. With the participation of farmers, JESE tested these insecticides and provided training in the production and use of these environmentally benign and locally produced inputs. Now botanical pesticides are used in all vegetable gardens.

Faced with unsatisfactory yields in plots where manure was applied, seven farmers are conducting analyses of nutrient flow in and out of their plots to understand which nutrients are being depleted. They hope to fine-tune soil amendments and conservation practices to their particular needs.

Small-scale tea growers conducted trials applying organic fertilizer to their fields and reported good results in terms of increased leaf growth. But their needs quickly exceeded the current compost production capacity. It was therefore proposed to use the wastes from the nearest city, Fort Portal, to make additional compost for the tea growers. In addition to enriching the tea-growing soils, such a project would create some employment in the city and begin to integrate the city with its surrounding rural areas.

All three NGOs have also promoted animal production and integration in the lighthouses. Crop animal integration has proved key in smallholders agriculture as it expands options for protein production, draft animal power, nutrient cycling through consumption of crop residues and manure production, and weed control through grazing. Zero grazing has been widely promoted, as it limits unrestricted grazing and allows a better use and recycling of biomass. Bee keeping and fishponds have also diversified animal production in many communities.

Some data on adoption rates of the various techniques promoted have been collected. All SANE Ugandan NGO partners emphasize similar agroecological practices (intercropping, zero grazing, agroforestry, botanical pesticides, etc.). The adoption level by farmers of the various techniques promoted by TCC and JESE are shown in Table 7. It is interesting to note that those techniques requiring the purchase of equipment or other inputs, even modest, tend to have low adoption rates. For example, due to the simplicity and efficacy of the method, it was expected that liquid "manure", a fertilizer made from green leaves, would be widely adopted. However, out of 25 farmers trained in making liquid manure, only 9 were seen using this technique in follow-up visits. CARD staff explained that the purchase of the relatively cheap containers needed to hold the liquid prevented wider adoption. Similarly, demonstrations on making solar ovens did not lead to the adoption of the technique because the ovens require glass, which costs on average US $20.

In contrast, techniques that are low-cost or based on local resources exhibited wider adoption. For example, a workshop conducted by CARD with farmers on making fuel-efficient mudstoves using locally-available clay resulted in 75 farmers adopting this kind of stove. Similarly, 30 farmers received training on mulching as a way to retain moisture, control weeds, reduce soil erosion, and add organic matter to the soil. The mulch is made of crop residues available on-site and was adopted by 42 farmers. As a last example, all 48 farmers receiving training from TCC on intercropping banana or plantain, with other crops like beans and passion fruit, eventually ended up practicing intercropping.

*out of approximately 50 participating farmers in each target community

Increases in local food production have been observed. The total production of local vegetable varieties is increasing. Very few households are now seen buying fresh vegetables. The adoption of soil-building, water-conserving, crop protection and post harvest protection methods are resulting in increased yields.

Rehabilitation of abandoned banana plantations has relieved pressure on forest lands, thus arresting deforestation.

The Uganda lighthouses have not only encouraged the use of a wide variety of agroecological techniques (i.e. intercropping, agroforestry, zero grazing, botanical insecticides, soil and water conservation) but also demonstrated their productivity benefits.

The lighthouses have not restricted their activities exclusively to sustainable crop production methods. These are integrated with sustainable energy schemes such as the use of fuel-efficient stoves, which reduce home fuel consumption by 70%, and with agroforestry to provide fuelwood and animal products. A fully agroecological system referred to as the model village, is being implemented by JESE. The design of the village also takes into consideration concerns related to sanitation, energy, water quality, livestock production and health.

All three NGOs cannot meet all the demand for training from communities located beyond their focal areas. Training is thus also offered to NGOs in other districts to promote sustainable agriculture activities. Some of these people have become trained development cadres who constitute a mobile training team.

To increase their effectiveness, SANE NGOs have linked with existing national networks. JESE, for example, acts as coordinator for the Kabarole Association of Voluntary Organizations Network, which is an umbrella organi-zation for all NGOs and Community-based organizations in the district.

When feasible, SANE NGOs work with government institutions and take advantage of funds available through the government’s Poverty Alleviation Scheme. JESE for example, uses these funds in the form of credit to provide financial, technical and material assistance to less advantaged individuals and groups. As a rule, the loans must be paid back at the end of one year with an interest of 12%. To date, 257 loans have been given out with a 78% recovery rate.

There is also collaboration between NGOs and government agricultural extension. Recently, extension workers have been accompanying TCC staff in their follow-up visits to farmers, and training on agroecology for extension workers by TCC staff took place in Mpigi.

Relationships with research institutions are also being developed. TCC, for example, has a collaborative agreement with the Soil Sciences department of Makerere University. The agreement enables students to do internships at TCC sites and also contemplates for TCC staff to receive training from University faculty in soil sciences. Contact with CGIAR centers operating in Uganda (IITA, ICRAF) have also been made.

Although the three NGOs are knowledgeable in agroecological techniques, they need training on institutional strengthening and on how to better influence policies when this is feasible. They also need to develop monitoring systems to keep track of the impact of their interventions. They will increasingly need to become economically secure. For example, JESE has initiated efforts for becoming financially self sufficient through sales of tools, stoves, and botanical pesticides.

This area needs to be developed in the future. Past evaluations of the lighthouse projects concluded that staff in the three NGOs could benefit from education to develop skills in the area of political economic analysis. Specific examples where a wider analysis and impact is needed include the relationships between tea processing and deforestation and between the designation of Rwenzori forest as a National Park and increased malnutrition in JESE’s project area. In these cases, a better understanding of the impact of these changes in land use on the local population and environment, the economic interests at stake, and the present legal and policy framework, is a necessary step in attempting to improve the local situation.

All three Ugandan projects aim at ensuring food security and natural resource conservation at the farm and community level using agroecological techniques. Although progress has been observed, impacts are mainly local and scaling-up efforts are required in order to improve human welfare substantially and at a wider level. In addition, only internal components have been critically addressed, thus making it difficult to improve overall sustainability. There is therefore a need for further capacity building in the social, economic, policy and human health areas.

"JESE learned from us our way of planting bananas. We knew which varieties grow best here."

"We realized that even on very poor soil, we were able to obtain good banana production."

"We now have enough food in our homes and even surplus to sell."

"We can farm smaller plots more intensively."

"The biggest problem we faced was soil erosion. The good soil was being washed away by the rains. Now, we know how to preserve that land better and we are getting better yields."

"Using coffee husks for compost is much less expensive than chemical fertilizer and improves the bananas and pineapples very quickly."

"People always said banana would not grow here because it is too dry, but my banana trees mixed with elephant grass are doing very well."

"Before the SANE project, I never had enough seed and I used any seed we could find. Now, I have enough for myself and my neighbors and we select the best seed from our crops."